Spring-Summer must-haves #2 : natural/organic sunscreens round-up

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been busy compiling a list of green sunscreens (free of nano-particles) that have fewer chances to be breakout-inducing. While I’m aware that each skin reacts differently, I’ve noticed that coconut oil – which is very frequent in sunscreen because it naturally contains spf – breaks me out systematically.
Funny enough Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides doesn’t seem to make my skin break out. The difference between coconut oil and Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides is as follows:

“Caprylic Capric Triglycerides are a specialized esterification of Coconut Oil using just the Caprylic and Capric Fatty Acids, while Fractionated Coconut Oil is a, standard, distillation of Coconut Oil which results in a combination of all of the fatty acids, pulled through the distillation process. (…) Caprylic Capric Triglycerides are an ester and have a very light, silky oil, feel that is not at all greasy / oily feeling on the skin”. 

Gressa’s foundation serum for instance contains Capriylic/Capric Triglycerides, and it hasn’t made my skin breakout. Therefore, I decided to include some products containing Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides. Those will be marked in bold. Also, none of these contain Dimethicone, a silicon which happens to be frequent in tinted creams with spf and beauty balms.

The untinted/regular sunscreens

Andalou Naturals Oil control Beauty Balm Un-Tinted Spf 30
Vegan, gluten-free, with an organic aloe vera base (commonly know for its soothing properties) this un-tinted balm also contains Willow Bark, Hibiscus flower extract, Zinc, which are all great assets for a balanced and blemish-free skin.
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20.0%
Price: 19$
Contains Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides

Juice Beauty SPF 30 oil-free Moisturizer

Specifically made for oilier skin, this lightweight moisturizer is made with organic white grape juice, Aloe Vera leaf juice, pomegranate, cucumber, lemon balm leaf, and seems like a great option for those not fond of layering products.

Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20%
Price: 29$
Contains capric/caprylic triglycerides


Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30

Devita’s moisturizer has a quite simple formula, this one contains hyaluronic acid to boosts skin moisture. The affordable price is definitely a plus. Note: according to customer reviews, it does leave a slight white case. Devita is a brand I haven’t tried yet, I read numerous reviews but you might want to read this review on Paula’s choice containing some insightful infos (here)
Active Ingredient: Micronized Zinc oxide 19%.
Price 25$ but 13.19$ on Vitacost (I linked to it above)
Contains capric/caprylic triglycerides

Badger Damascus Rose SPF 20 face sunscreen
For some reasons, the rose face sunscreen are unavailable in Europe. Hopefully this will change as it looks really promising. Suitable for delicate skin with Damascus rose, chamomille and lavender, it also has seabuckthorn and rosehip which add an antioxidant kick to the blend.
Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 12% 
Price: 24.99$
 *Sucrose Cocoate (from Coconut)

Pratima Neem Rose face sunscreen SPF 30
I desperately want to order some Pratima products, but for now they don’t ship worldwide. However it seems like they are working on it (I asked on Instagram). It’s the only Ayurvedic sunscreen from the list and it combines organic botanicals
of Neem, Shatavari and Rose with  Zinc Oxide. I’ve only read rave reviews about thisproduct, because it’s super lightweight and won’t leave a white case.
Active ingredient: Zinc oxide 18,6%
Price: 28$


Eco Cosmetics Transparent sun gel SPF 30

Hana Organic Everyday Crème with SPF 15
I’m not fond of layering face products in the morning, I’d rather find a light mositurzier with added SPF which is exactly what the Everyday Crème looks like. I really love the short composition, combining soothing calendula and aloe vera, with a few hydrating oils.
Active ingredient: Zinc oxide 12%
Price: 38$


100% Pure Green Tea Oil free hydration spf 30
The picture doesn’t match with the product title, because I couldn’t find the Pomegranate moisturizer, however 100% Pure currently offers a green tea version, which sounds equally great. A base of Aloe vera and glycerin, with antibacterial ingredients (eucalyptus, oregano, rosemary, green tea and tea tree) Note: contains Japanese Honeysuckle which is used as a preservative
Active Ingredients: 6 % Titanium Dioxide, 6 % Zinc Oxide
Price: 32$

Coola Plant UV face SPF 30 unscented moisturizer
I’ve been looking for this one, but I don’t know if it has been discontinued or simply sold out, because I can’t find it any of Coola’s European retailers. Unlike the other products from their range, this one only contains zinc oxide and their system named the Plant Protection® : Developed with naturally protective plant cells of the Buddleja Davidii
stems and the Lilac Leaf, which have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this formula is preservative-free and made with 70% organic inactive ingredients. Beet Root and Cordyceps Mushroom Extracts can help protect the skin and defend against premature aging while Orazanol and organic Beeswax boost natural sun protection. Also infused with organic emollients like antioxidant-rich Olive Oil and Omega-3 enriched Linseed Oil to moisturize, smooth and soften skin.   

Elemental Herbs Sport Sunscreen SPF 33
This is a great body and face cream. With a higher SPF, it’s an affordable organic sunscreen with grape seed juice, green tea, rose hip, olive and burity fruit oil.
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 22.5%
Price: 20.95 $
*Caprylic Capric Triglyceride

Erbaviva SPF 30 sunscreen
I’m currently using this one. I ordered it on Reina Organics and I wasn’t disappoined. It works for both face and body. It’s creamy and once massaged into the skin shows barely no white cast. I didn’t experience any breakouts and it has no particular smell. Aloe Vera sunflower, chamomille and lavender are among the top ingredients, and it’s been providing great sun protection so far.
Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20%.
Price: 23 Eur.
*caprylic/capric triglycerides,

This sunscreen gel works for both face and body and is water resistant. It’s transparent and leaves no residue. It looks very similar to the gel of Eco Cosmetics (seen above) because it also contains Sea buckthorn and pomegranate. However it stands out because of one ingredient that hadn’t heard before: karanja oil. Karanja oil is found in a fruit of an Asian tree and used as solar filter, it also has antiseptic properties.
Active ingredient: Titanium Dioxide

Price: 15.74 Eur.

Made with 5 certified-organic ingredients, John Masters Organics’ award winning sunscreen, had to be included. A blend of green tea, jojoba and shea butter, it’s moisturizing and high in antioxidant at the same time. Gluten-free.
Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 7.5% & Zinc Oxide 5%
Price: 32$

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide
Price: 29$

*coco-caprylate/caprate

Same formula as the Face Glow, expect that this one is mica free.
Active ingredient: Zinc oxide
Price: 29$
*coco-caprylate/caprate

The tinted ones

Mukti Tinted Moisturizer With Sunscreen SPF 15
This Australian brand has been on my radar for a while, and I’ve been particularly intrigued by the tinted moisturizer, because of  the presence of exotic ingredients such as Kakadu Plum (very high in Vit. C) Snowflower and Desert Lime, which are commonly found in Australian skincare but not anywhere else. Vegan, gluten free.
Active ingredient: Zinc oxide
Price: 59.95$ (AUS)

Josh Rosebrook SPF 30 Tinted Nutrient day Cream
I’m beyond excited for this one. I plan on purchasing it, as I really enjoyed my sample of the Nutrient day cream. It’s lightweight, and my skin feels soft and calm when I use it. Therefore, a tinted version sounds like music to my ears. I’m not expecting a full coverage, I just want something that evens out the complexion a little bit. A concentrate of healing plants oil, the Nutrient day cream has a stellar forumula (Hemp, Borage, Sea Buckthorn, Nettles, Burdock, Sage, Dandelion, Chamomille, just to name a few).
Active Ingredient: Min. 12% Zinc oxide
Price: $ 69.95 CAD

Badger Balm SPF 20 Rose sheer tint face Sunscreen
Same formular as their rose sunscreen (seen above), except that it’s slightly tinted.
Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 12%
Price: 24.99$
*Sucrose Cocoate (from Coconut)

Sun Juice Daily Skin Super food tinted SPF 15
This looks like another incredible Australian brand. Filled with skin-quenching nutrients such as Resverastrol (antioxidant found in red grapes), kiwi fruit, avocado, vitamin d, green tea, and kakadu plum. Cruelty-free, made in Australia.
Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide
Price: 49$(AUS)

Eco Cosmetics Compact foundation Spf 30
A recently launched product, I ordered a sample on Amazingy and it’s quite a very interesting product. A concealer/foundation cream with SPF. I love the fact that it comes in a compact. The coverage is great (unfortunately there’s only one shade available).
This is not something I’d wear in the hottest summerdays as it could feel too heavy, especially for oily skins. However harmful UV’s are here all year round, so this would be a great companion for all seasons. The scent is really pleasant, it smelled like honeydew to me.
Active ingredients: Titanium and Zinc oxide
Price: 27.95 Eur
*Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20
A fruit cocktail in a bottle. The 100% Pure has a base of aloe vera and cucumber juice, followed by a wide range of oils supposedly packed with antioxidants (acai, peach, pomegranate) and white tea extract. It definitely looks lightweight and suitable for summer.
Active ingredients : Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide
Price: 37 Eur

Not sunscreen lotions but before/after sun treatments

ISUN Photo-enzyme serum
An after-sun repair gel, which is meant to soothe and prevent any UV damages and /or help heal damaged/sunburnt skin more rapidly. Among the ingredients, we have Gingko, Licorice, Phytoplankton extract, Goji, berry, Aspen Bark and Echinacea. Quite an impressive line-up, no?
Price: 40$

Harlow Sun Elixir

La Bella Figura Daily Elements Defense face oil
I’ve heard lots of positive reviews for this face oil, as a preventative treatment to premature aging
and cell degeneration. It’s supposed to help your skin combat oxidation. The formula is promising, combining well-known ingredients against sun damages such as rosehip, camellia, jojoba, pomegranate with more exotic oils such as Sacha Inchi, Guava Seed, Jasmine and Pitanga Leaf.
Price: 92 Eur

Saje Carrot hydrating mist
A refreshing and hydrating body bist, with carrot, roman chamomille, palmarose, geranium and patchouli. Since carrot helps enhance a sun tan, those looking to keep their sunkissed look might want to give this a go.
Price: 14.95$

OM Aroma Raspberry protect serum
On my wishlist is this OM Aroma raspberry protect serum. Red raspberry has always been one of my favorite ingredients in skincare, particularly in the summer because it’s high in antioxidants. According to some studies it has a
potential SPF between 28-50. However, it’s recommended to use it in conjunction with zinc or titanium dioxide. The protective serum is high in Omega-3 and -6 which are essential nutirents for a health, glowy skin. Besides raspberry, it contains papaya, nettle, pumpkin, comfrey and apricot oil.
Price: 58$

Haut Raspberry Skin Elixir
Raspberry again. What can I say, I can’t get enough of it. A true superfood cocktail made with two ingredients: pure red raspberry seed oil and vanilla bean. Nothing else. It’s high in Vit. E to regulate excess sebum. Haut Cosmetics also offers an alternative elixir with argan oil.
Price: Starting at $38 CAD

Also: Not pictured but also worth mentioning is Sempiira, an US artisan brand from Vermont. While it can’t be labelled as sunscreen per se, I’ve testing their beauty balm with zinc oxide and I really enjoy it as well. Stay tuned for more infos about that product soon. Meanwhile, the website is here.

Pheww, are you still with me? 😉 If you have tried any of these products listed above, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comment section. If you use a product that is not listed here, please feel free to share it as well 🙂

Take care,

Liz